Find experienced Automation Engineers in Munich matched in minutes from 15,000 CVs with the power of AI.
PLC programming, SCADA and HMI work, machine integration, and production line commissioning all need the right hands. Get fast, precise matching with vetted, available freelancers.
About the role
What they do
Automation engineers build and improve systems that run machines, lines, and plants with less manual work. They translate process needs into control logic, connect hardware and software, and make sure equipment behaves safely and reliably.
- PLC and HMI programming for machines and production lines
- SCADA setup, alarms, and process monitoring
- Commissioning, testing, and fault finding on site
- Interface work between sensors, drives, robots, and control systems
Core skills
A strong automation engineer understands both plant operations and control technology. Companies often look for people who can read electrical schematics, structure clean logic, and debug live systems without slowing production.
- PLC platforms such as Siemens, Beckhoff, or Rockwell
- Industrial networks, fieldbus systems, and signal interfaces
- Control logic, safety concepts, and documentation
- Structured troubleshooting under time pressure
Typical projects
Freelance automation work is common when a company needs focused support for a rollout, upgrade, or recovery task. In Munich, that often means manufacturing, automotive suppliers, packaging, logistics, and process industries that need local plant support plus clear coordination with engineering teams.
A freelance controls engineer is often brought in for new machine lines, line extensions, retrofits, and migrations from older control systems. The work can be remote for design, software, and documentation, then on site for commissioning and acceptance.
What good looks like
The best professionals do more than write code. They keep systems maintainable, understand how operators use the equipment, and document changes clearly so service teams can work on them later.
- Clean logic and readable structure
- Safe startup and stable operation
- Practical debugging at machine level
- Clear handover to maintenance and operations
When to hire freelance
Bring in an automation engineer when your internal team is full, the project has a narrow technical scope, or you need specific platform experience for a limited period. This is also the right choice when a plant needs fast support during commissioning or an urgent shutdown.
Freelancers are useful when you want focused delivery without a long hiring cycle. They can join an existing team, work with OEMs, and take over defined packages such as control software, documentation, or site support.
Working with the team
Good collaboration depends on fast access to process knowledge, drawings, and test environments. The freelancer should align with electrical engineering, mechanics, production, and IT so changes do not create new problems elsewhere in the system.
In Munich, English is often enough for technical project work, but German helps on site with operators, maintenance staff, and suppliers. For companies that need a PLC programmer or automation specialist, the strongest candidates combine technical depth with calm communication during commissioning.
Meet FRATCH Automation Engineers
Ljubomir Obrenovic
Senior Test Automation Engineer | QA Engineer
Last position:
Senior Software Test Engineer at Keil KTM GmbH
Temporary employment
- System black-box integration tests (BBIT, IVVQ): Execution of regression, release, acceptance, and compliance tests for safety-critical brake control units in the rail industry
- Software test application & integration: Runtime configuration of software components and libraries, validation of interfaces, configuration dependencies, and component interactions
- Test automation (FEAT framework): Co-development and further development of an automated test framework for test execution, reporting, and result analysis
- Functional safety (SiL4, FuSi): Ensuring compliance with safety requirements, traceability and coverage, as well as standards compliance according to EN50126/28/29
- Test automation for communication components: Configuration and validation of fieldbus (CAN) and Ethernet-based TCMS data communication interfaces (TRDP and CIP)
- Requirements analysis & shift-left (PTC Windchill ALM): Analysis of software and system artifacts to identify gaps, ambiguities, and redundancies early in the SDLC
- Test design & test case development: Derivation of test conditions, coverage strategies, and implementation of data-driven test cases (DDT), including reusable test data fixtures
- CI/CD & automation (Python, PowerShell, Jenkins, SVN): Automation of build, test, and HIL deployment processes as well as integration into CI/CD pipelines
- Test data & configuration management (XML): Maintenance and adaptation of XML test vectors and system configurations with automated integration into test environments
- Non-functional testing: Execution of performance and load tests to assess stability and system behavior
- Agile development & defect management (JIRA, Confluence): Participation in Scrum teams, test coordination, review of test artifacts, as well as defect tracking and root-cause analysis
- Error analysis & debugging (CANoe, CANalyzer): Analysis of errors and message flows across multiple system layers (application to bus)
- Model-based analysis (UML, Enterprise Architect): Specification of SUT/SOW and support for systematic test control
- Process & test documentation: Creation of integration and test documentation according to internal quality and certification requirements
Clarissa Heinemann
Data & Automation Engineer | M.Sc. Information Systems
Last position:
AI Trainer at Komdis GmbH
- Led comprehensive AI workshops for professionals, focusing on AI-driven process automation.
- Tech Stack: n8n, Make, LLMs (OpenAI, Anthropic), Prompt Engineering, Process Mapping Tools.
Matthias Lamsfuss
Freelance Developer & Founder
Last position:
Full Stack & AI Engineer at Elephant Technologies
Loom and Bloom
Python · TypeScript · n8n · Claude Code · Whisper · Gemini · Supabase · Notion · HubSpot · Digital Ocean
- Built an end-to-end content pipeline: one Loom video → marketing images, bilingual LinkedIn posts, newsletter and Help Center updates.
- n8n webhook → SSH → Claude Code session on a Digital Ocean VPS; three MCP servers (video, Notion, Supabase).
- Whisper word-level transcription, ffmpeg screenshots, Gemini UI annotation, PIL device mockups.
- Next.js upload UI plus a bilingual newsletter composer with HubSpot push.
Youssef Ahmed Rawy Baghdady
Test Automation Engineer
Last position:
Test Automation Engineer at IAV GmbH
- Executed standard/complex test cases using ECU-test and Python, improving test throughput by 30%.
- Performed validation and execution of ECU test cases on HiL benches for ADAS to ensure functional quality before release.
- Worked closely with customers to align test activities with project requirements and provide regular validation updates.
- Coordinated with subcontractors to track defects, ensure timely issue resolution, and maintain test quality.
- Ensured testbench stability and maintenance before executing test plans, identifying and resolving issues proactively.
- Developed Python-based automation scripts for reporting and workflow automation.
- Managed test issues and documentation via Jira in coordination with QA and development teams.
- Used CANPE for measuring signals of CAN, FlexRay, Ethernet, and IP using Vector CAN tools.
Maryam Sarebanzadeh
Hardware and Control Engineer
Last position:
Hardware and Control Engineer at Technical University of Munich
- Developed a 6 kW AC-DC power converter for automotive applications.
- Selected and tested SiC MOSFETs, gate drivers, diodes, and high-voltage capacitors.
- Created schematics and designed multilayer PCBs in Altium Designer.
- Collaborated with software and mechanical teams for system integration.
- Developed an advanced control strategy for traction inverters.
- Implemented and tested control algorithms in MATLAB/Simulink.
- Conducted detailed efficiency, power factor, and common-mode current measurements.
Hussein Kaheel
QA and Test Automation Engineer
Last position:
QA and Test Automation Engineer at Intel
- Verified internal and external semiconductor technologies to support the release of design packages.
- Developed automated testing environments using Bash and Python to streamline verification workflows.
- Created and maintained TCL scripts to configure ivars and automate testbench execution.
- Performed comprehensive validation of technology libraries and Verilog files.
- Utilized a range of industry-standard EDA tools including Fusion Compiler, Innovus, ICV, Calibre (Mentor Graphics), Seascape (Ansys).
- Conducted root cause analysis to debug and resolve issues across various tool flows.
- Defined and tracked QoR (Quality of Results) metrics to provide a macro-level view of design package health.
- Optimized test runtime and resource usage to improve efficiency and turnaround time.
Mehmet Atalay
Automation Engineer
Last position:
Automation Engineer at Ju:niz Energy
- Developing and implementing automation solutions for PLC programming in Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
- Conducted thorough analysis and debugging of control systems to enhance performance and reliability.
- Upgraded software and communication protocols.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to optimize HMI interfaces, improving user experience and operational efficiency.
Katharina Krug
Managing Director, Media Informatics Graduate & CRM/Marketing Automation Expert
Last position:
Managing Director, Media Informatics Graduate & CRM/Marketing Automation Expert at kkvision
kkvision has been operating successfully in the CRM/marketing automation industry for a decade.
Since September 2020, the company has expanded into a team of 27 employees with offices in Munich, Aachen and Vienna.
Handling complex projects in CRM, ERP, marketing/sales and service automation, and developing custom CRM/ERP tools and integrations.
Applying creative, innovative and highly successful approaches across all business processes.
Marketing Automation: Designing and implementing automated marketing, sales and customer relationship processes to scale the business.
Integrations: Mastery of API programming and seamless integration of other systems with CRM and automation tools.
CRM & ERP Management: Structuring, repairing, configuring and managing databases and CRM/ERP processes.
GDPR Compliance: Advising and implementing requirements based on project experience and close collaboration with legal counsel.
Digital Presentation: Developing, designing and optimizing websites, landing pages and emails from mockup to implementation in the system landscape.
Reporting: Presenting data more clearly and accessing it selectively, as well as optimizing processes based on collected information and calculating ROI.
Discover over 15,000 top freelancers
Automation Engineers statistics
Aggregated from the professional profiles of matched freelancers.
Experience
16 years
Position duration
3.5 years
Positions per freelancer
9
Top business areas
Information Technology, Product Development, Quality Assurance
Top industries
Automotive, Information Technology, Manufacturing
Certification focus areas
Information Technology, Quality Assurance, Customer Service
Bachelor's degree or higher
100%
Master's degree or higher
100%
Doctorate
17%
Certifications per freelancer
2
Most common languages
German, English, Spanish
Speak two or more languages
100%
Daily Rate Distribution
The chart shows how the daily rates of freelancers in this role are distributed, based on recent contracts on our platform. Each bar covers a rate range — its height shows how many freelancers charge within that range. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
Average rates for Automation Engineers & Seniority distribution
Rates are based on recent contracts and do not include FRATCH margin.
The average daily rate is the mean of all daily rates from recent contracts of comparable freelancers on our platform.
The median daily rate is the middle value of all daily rates — half of comparable freelancers charge less, half charge more. Unlike the average, it is barely affected by outliers.
Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have questions? Here you can find further information about FRATCH
An Automation Engineer designs, programs, tests, and improves control systems for machines or production lines. The work often includes PLC logic, HMI screens, alarms, sensor and drive integration, and commissioning support. In many projects, the goal is to get a line stable and hand it over in a way maintenance teams can support.
Look for strong PLC logic, troubleshooting skill, and a clear understanding of industrial hardware. A good candidate should also know how to work with electrical drawings, field devices, and safety-related functions. If the project is in Munich, it helps when the person can work comfortably with local shop-floor teams and suppliers.
In practice, the terms overlap a lot, especially in industrial settings. A controls engineer usually points to the same kind of work: control logic, machine integration, and commissioning. The exact title matters less than whether the person has done the same platform, equipment type, and project phase you need.
A freelancer makes sense when the task is project-based, urgent, or tied to a specific control system or machine rollout. That is common for retrofits, migrations, startup support, or short-term plant trouble shooting. A permanent hire is better when you need long-term ownership of a stable internal automation function.
Ask which PLC and HMI platforms the automation engineer has used, and whether they have worked with SCADA, industrial networks, and safety systems. The right answer depends on your environment, but Siemens, Beckhoff, Rockwell, and similar systems are common starting points. It also helps to hear how they document changes and validate them during commissioning.
Most automation work is a mix of both. Software design, review, and documentation can often be done remotely, while commissioning, fault finding, and operator training usually need on-site presence. For plants in Munich, a freelancer who can switch between remote work and site visits is often the best fit.
Review the clarity of their logic, their approach to testing, and how they explain trade-offs. Strong candidates think about operators, maintenance, safety, and future changes, not only the immediate code. A reliable PLC programmer leaves behind systems that are stable, understandable, and easy to support.
Most clients want a short summary of relevant projects, the control platforms you know, and the type of machines or lines you have supported. It also helps to describe whether you focus on programming, commissioning, troubleshooting, or documentation. If you can work in Munich, say whether you are open to on-site time, remote work, or both.
The average hourly rate for Automation Engineers in Munich is 73 €, which corresponds to a daily rate of about 584 € based on an 8-hour working day.
Of the freelancers working as Automation Engineers in Munich, 100% hold at least a Bachelor's degree, 100% hold at least a Master's degree, and 17% hold a doctorate.
On average, freelancers working as Automation Engineers in Munich have 16 years of professional experience, with a single engagement typically lasting around 3.5 years.
The most common languages among freelancers working as Automation Engineers in Munich are German (100%), English (100%), and Spanish (25%).
The most common industries among freelancers working as Automation Engineers in Munich are Automotive (75%), Information Technology (63%), and Manufacturing (63%).
The most common business areas among freelancers working as Automation Engineers in Munich are Information Technology (88%), Product Development (88%), and Quality Assurance (75%).
FRATCH Automation Engineers main locations
Our freelancers and interim experts are at home across the DACH region — available on-site in the major business hubs or fully remote. Choose a location to discover matched specialists, local market insights and up-to-date availability.
Berlin Hamburg 
Munich Cologne Frankfurt Stuttgart Dusseldorf Leipzig Dortmund Essen Bremen Dresden Hanover Nuremberg Request a Free Demo
Get in touch with the FRATCH team and we will get back to you within 4 hours.
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Philipp Thomaschewski
FRATCH CEO
